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YFCU Public Speaking Finals 2021

The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) members recently participated in the 2021 Public Speaking Finals at Magherafelt High School on 28th October.


The Public Speaking event saw members competing in the County Heats then progressing onto the Finals. The competition sought to find the best public speakers among the YFCU members in Northern Ireland.

The finals consisted of a prepared and impromptu section for each age group. The competitors delivered a pre-prepared and impromptu speech chosen from a specified list of topics.


The prepared topics included: Staycation or Vacation?, If I could interview anyone alive or dead it would be, University should be free, Lessons learnt from Covid, Are we taking climate change seriously?, Social media is having a negative impact on people’s mental wellbeing, The future of Auctioneering- is it in the ring or online, Great Leader(s), Farming has to change to meet new market demands and My favourite school subject.


The final impromptu topics were My role model, Things you can’t learn at school, Rural life is better than urban life and My biggest concern for the future


The judges at the final listened intently to over 100 speeches, and these were assessed according to platform manner, voice production, content and marshalling of facts. The judges were thoroughly impressed by a range of varied and entertaining speeches, thus having a difficult task due to the high standard presented.


Results:


12-14

3rd – Claire Fulton, Dungiven

2nd – Jack Orr, Kilraughts

1st – Isabella Gregg, Glarryford


Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Claire Fulton, Isabella Gregg and Jack Orr


14-16

3rd – James Gregg, Glarryford

2nd – Naomi O’Neill, Rathfriland

1st – Philip Crawford, Seskinore

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with James Gregg & Philip Crawford. Absent from photo: Naomi O’Neill.


16-18 prepared

3rd – Fraser McComb, Lylehill

2nd – Stephanie Millar, Coleraine

1st – Allister Crawford, Seskinore

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Fraser McComb & Allister Crawford. Absent from photo: Stephanie Millar.


16-18 Impromptu

3rd – Jonathan Lemon, Ballywalter

2nd – Kerry Jamison, Kilraughts

1st – Rachel Sands, Annaclone & Magherally

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Jonathan Lemon, Kerry Jamison & Rachel Sands


18-21 Prepared

3rd – Joyce Allen, Moneymore

2nd – Helen Chapman, Hillhall

1st – James Currie, Kilraughts

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Joyce Allen, James Currie & Helen Chapman.


18-21 Impromptu

3rd – Sarah Ross, Collone

2nd – Alexis Kidd, Lisnamurrican

1st – Zoe Weir, Annaclone & Magherally

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Zoe Weir & Alexis Kidd. Absent from photo: Sarah Ross, Collone


21-25 Prepared

3rd – Thomas McNeill, Kilraughts

2nd – Alan Fleming, Cappagh

1st – Lucy McClintock, Kells & Connor

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Thomas McNeill & Alan Fleming. Absent from photo: Lucy McClintock


21-25 Impromptu

3rd – Hannah Shaw, Spa

2nd – Gareth Baird, Straid

1st – Adam Alexander, Kilrea

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Adam Alexander & Hannah Shaw. Absent from photo: Gareth Baird.


25-30 Prepared

3rd – Hannah Kirkpatrick, Kilraughts

2nd – Gemma Dickey, Randalstown

1st – Andrew Patton, Newtownards

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Hannah Kirkpatrick, Andrew Patton & Gemma Dickey


25-30 Impromptu

3rd – Ellen McMinn, Annaclone & Magherally

2nd – David Hodges, Moycraig

1st – Judith McKinley, Trillick & District

Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Judith McKinley & Ellen McMinn. Absent from photo: David Hodges


YFCU would like to thank the sponsor NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, the chairs, judges and trainers who helped throughout the competition and finally the YFCU members who took part.





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